What's Happening in McDonough, GA…

In August, three of the dogs graduating from a special dog training school were chosen from the Henry County Animal Shelter in McDonough.

The National Detector Dog Training Center that operates out of Newnan, Georgia seeks out dogs from a variety of sources, including animal shelters such as Henry County’s. The dogs will be a part of the Beagle Brigade working with the United States Dept. of Agriculture in its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Lizzie, Henry, and Granite will use their super canine noses to assist the multifaceted APHIS in protecting the health and reputation of the U.S. agricultural industry. The trio's training center is under the management of APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine branch.

Henry County Animal Shelter has had seven dogs with the special talents it takes to be part of the Beagle Brigade graduate from the training course. Detector dogs work primarily in airports, where they ensure that the prohibited meats, plants, and fruits that the government (using brochure printing services to inform the public) ban from entering the country are found and confiscated.

Every month, dog trainers visit the Henry County Animal Shelter to find new applicants for its Beagle Brigade. Despite its name, the Beagle Brigade is not just for beagles, although originally it was. The Brigade now recruits small Labradors as well.